Dogs’ most common behaviors explained

By Bexx Wilton, Jun 14, 2018

Whether you own one or not, chances are you’ve probably been around a dog at some point in your life. Are we right? Whether it’s at your friend’s house, walking down the street, or the family pooch that lives at home with the rest of you, dogs are everywhere. Believe it or not, but it’s estimated 89.7 million dogs are living in America alone. This makes them the third most popular pet in the states, missing out on the top spots to freshwater fish and cats. Although they might not take home the winning prize in numbers, they have certainly won millions of hearts. Their loyalty, puppy dog eyes, and special smoochies make them far too irresistible to resist. Who would have thought we could fall so hard for a four-legged creature? However, sometimes it’s like we hardly know them at all. Sure, we might live in the same house, but there are several strange behaviors that need to be explained.

Dogs are pretty cool animals. In fact, they are said to be as smart as a two-year-old child. Perhaps it’s no wonder they learn where the treats are hidden pretty quickly! Dogs were first domesticated around 15,000 years ago as us humans started to settle down all over the world. They might have been closely related to wolves, but at long last, we had an animal to keep for ourselves. Need a hunting partner? Looking for protection? Feel like having a cuddle at night? These dogs have you covered. In fact, these early domestic dogs were so close to their human owners that they were often found in the same grave. Now, they could be together forever. Over the years, these animals have become additions all over the world. Thanks to designer and selective breeding, the World Canine Organization officially recognizes 339 different breeds of dogs. There are plenty of pooches out there for everyone!

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Living with dogs for so long has given us plenty of time to get to know our four-legged friends. Perhaps you have found yourself looking deeply into your companion’s eyes and wondered what it is their thinking? Unfortunately, it seems as though we will never know. However, there are still some common behaviors we need to be explained. Sure, we get used to their strange actions, such as the way they eat their food or why they act the way they do in the yard, but what could it all mean? We love our pets, and just want them to be happy. It looks as though there could be something they are trying to tell us, but without a voice, they have to work with what they have. Hopefully, one day we can have a machine that lets us talk to our dogs directly. At least then we would have another way to tell them “I love you.”